Wagon-brake.



P. LEWIS.

WAGON BRAKE. (Application filed Apr.

Patenied Sept. 9, I902.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

3 u oemfoz P/wga s q vitumma Len 0'5 Patented Sept: 9, I902.

P. LEWIS.

WAGON BRAKE.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1902.)

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Wilmeowo llNiiiE drains Parnt PHELPS LEWIS, OF YOCUM, KENTUCKY.

WAGON-BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,564, datedSeptember 9, 1902.

Application filed April 26, 1902. Serial 110,104,849. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, PHELPS LEWIS, acitizen of the United States, residingat Yocum, in the county of Morgan and State of Kentucky, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvementsin Wagon-Brakes; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to wagon or vehicle brakes, the object in viewbeing to provide a simple and effective brake mechanism applicable towagons or trucks which are longitudinally extensible and especiallydesigned for carrying lumber of different lengths. The brake mechanismis so constructed with reference to the extensible running-gear of thewagon that the brake connections may also be extended to correspond withthe length of the running-gear of the wagon, the necessary adjustmentbeing quickly efiected.

A'further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the tongueis left free to rise and fall and also to move longitudinally withrelation to the running-gear in order to apply and release thebrake-shoes.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the brake-levers andconnections as to obtain the greatest purchase or leverage While keepingthe parts in compact shape.

These and other objects of the invention will appear more fully as thedescription proceeds.

The invention consists in the novel construction, combination, andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated, andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a wagon,showing the improved brake mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the same with the wheels removed. Fig. 3 is a centralvertical longitudinal section through the same. Fig. at is a detailperspective view of the brake mechanism, some of the parts being omittedfor the purpose of better illustration. Fig. 5 is an enlarged verticalsection taken longitudinally of the front axle or bolster. Fig. (iis adetail cross-section through the front hounds or braces and tongue.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical cross-section showing the means for hangingthe brake-beam.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figuresof the draware the forwardly-converging hounds 4, the

front ends of which are arranged in parallel relation and connected bytie-plates or crosspieces 5, while the reach-pole 6 is slidingly fittedbetween the hounds 4 and secured in any convenient manner, therebyproviding for the lengthening and shortening of the running-gear in theusual manner.

The front hounds or braces 7 have their forward end portions 8 arrangedparallel to each other and connected by cross-pieces or tie-plates 9 andalso by means of a stay-bolt 10, which passes through a slot 11,extending longitudinally of the tongue, thus enabling the tongue toslide to a limited extent and lengthwise between the end portions 8 ofthe front hounds, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The rearends of the front hounds are connected by a curved crossbar 12, whileabove the cross-bar 12 is arranged a curved guide-rail 13, thereach-pole 6 passing between the bar 12 and rail 13, as shown in Figs. 2and 3. At its forward end the reach-pole 6 is connected with the frontaxle 1 by means of the king-bolt 14, which passes through the axle, asshown in Fig. 5, and also through the front bolster 15.

The brake mechanism comprises, essentially, a brake-beam 16, havingbrake-shoes 17, arranged to bear against the rear wheels and suspendedby means of hanging links 18 from across-bar 19, supported, bypreference, on the rear hounds, being fastened thereto in any convenientmanner. Pivotally connected with the center of the brake-beam 16 is abifurcated link 20, which extends rearward and pivotally connects withthe lower arm 21 of a lever, the other arm 22 of which extends upwardand connects pivotally at 23 with an extensible brake-rod 24:.Intermediate its upper and lower ends the lever 21. 22

is provided with a rock-shaft 25, the end portions of which arejournaled in bearings 26, secured, by preference, to the lower sides ofthe rear hounds in order to give suliicient length to the upper arm 22of the lever to apply the brake-shoes to the wheels with the necessaryforce. The brake-rod 24 is longitudinallyextensible, comprisinga tubularsection which connects with the upper arm 22 of the rear brake-lever anda telescopic section or rod 27, which is slidingly fitted in the tubularsection and adapted to be held at any desired point of adjustment bymeans of a removable pin 28 passing through an opening in the tubularsection and adapted to be inserted in any one of a longitudinal seriesof openings 29 in the inner section or rod 27. This constructionprovides for lengthening and shortening the brake connections tocorrespond with the length of the running-gear of the wagon in adaptingthe latter to lumber of different lengths. The inner section or rod 27is connected at its forward end to a tumbling extension 30 by means of auniversal joint 31, and said tumbling extension is connected by asimilar universal joint 32 with the upper end and arm 33 of a forwardbrakelever, the lower arm 34 of which is curved in a downward andforward direction and also provided with a curved slot 35, whichreceives a pin or bolt 36 at the rear end of the tongue or draft-pole37. Intermediate its ends the forward brake-lever 33 34 is provided witha rock-shaft 38, the ends of which are journaled in bearings 39,mounted, by preference, upon the upper sides of the forward hounds 7, asshown in Fig. 1. In order to obtain the necessary leverage for applyingthe brakes with the required force, the slidable tongue 37 has its rearend curved downward, as best shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, so as to engagethe lower portion of the arm 34 on the forward brakelever. The slot 35allows the rear end of the tongue to move upward and downward, as inpassing through a ditch or gulley or over a mound, and the fronttie-plate or cross-piece 9 is also arched or offset in an upwarddirection to accommodate the up-and-down movements of the tongue inadvance of the staybolt 11. The inner section or rod 27 of theextensible brake-rod 24 is longitudinally slotted, as shown at 40, tostraddle the king-bolt 14 and admit of the necessary lengthwise movementof the brake-rod in applying the brakes. The whiffletree 41 may bepivotally connected with the tongue 37 at any convenient point.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the tongue isleft free to rise and fall in accommodating the movements of the animalsand also to play lengthwise to an extent necessary to apply or releasethe brake-shoes. The brakes are applied automatically in coming downhillby the back pull of the animals, while in drawing the load on a levelroad or uphill the stay-bolt 11 takes the strain and does away with theusual bu mpers. By giving a downward curve or extension to the rear endof the tongue or draftpole greater leverage is obtained for applying thebrakes, and by slotting the lower arm of the forward brake-lever therising and falling movements of the tongue are not interfered with. Thetumbling extension at the forward end of the brake-rod provides for allthe necessary play in turning the wagon and avoids all binding orcramping of the parts. It will also be apparent that the brakeconnections may be lengthened or shortened according with the length ofthe wagon itself.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of constructionhereinabove set forth, and accordingly reserve the right to change,modify, or vary the construction within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is- In a wagon-brake, the combinationwith a wheeled truck, of a brake-beam provided with brake-shoes, abrake-lever connected with said beam, a second brake-lever mounted onthe truck and provided with a curved and slotted arm, a slidable tonguehaving a downwardly-deflected and slotted rear end portion carrying apin which works in the curved and slotted arm of the secondbrake-lever,a brakerod extending between the two brake-levers andpivotally connected therewith, and a universal coupling associated withthe brakerod between its points of connection with the brake-levers,substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHELPS LEWIS. [1,. s.]

Witnesses:

BEN M. CARR, JAMES H. SEBASTIAN.

